Ontario Racing Commission

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a $100 fine for medicating a horse in error, which caused the horse to be scratched.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeal, finding that the appellant had chosen the medication error penalty over a sickness scratch to avoid losing a preferred date.

The panel upheld the $100 fine and assessed an additional $25 in costs for a frivolous appeal.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a three-day driving suspension and the placing of his horse from 1st to 6th for allegedly causing interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal, finding that the video evidence showed the appellant had his wheel in front and did not cause interference.

The suspension was rescinded and the original order of finish was restored.

The appellant, a thoroughbred owner and trainer, appealed a decision of the Track Stewards disqualifying his horse from first to ninth place after the jockey used an unapproved riding crop.

The appellant argued that the penalty was disproportionate and that the Stewards were estopped from disqualifying the horse because track officials had allegedly told the jockey to ride with the unapproved crop.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeal, finding that the rule mandates automatic disqualification for using an unapproved crop and that track officials, who are not Commission officials, lack the authority to override the rules.

The licensee appealed a Stewards' ruling that suspended him for one day and fined him $300 for raising his hand above the shoulder while urging his mount during a thoroughbred race.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeal, finding the video evidence clear that the rules were violated.

The Commission also found the appeal to be frivolous and imposed an additional $1,500 fine.

The appellants, owners of racehorses, appealed a decision of the Stewards disallowing claims of foul for alleged interference during a race at Ajax Downs Racetrack.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard the appeals jointly.

After reviewing the video evidence and hearing testimony from the jockeys and the Steward, the Commission found that there was sufficient room for the horses to move and no interference occurred.

The appeals were denied and the original order of finish was upheld.

The appellant, a thoroughbred licensee, appealed a Stewards' ruling that suspended him for three days and fined him $500 for raising his hand above his shoulder while urging his mount.

The Ontario Racing Commission denied the appeal, finding clear video evidence of the violation.

The Commission also found the appeal to be frivolous and imposed an additional $1,500 fine.

The appellant appealed a decision by the Stewards to disqualify the horse D'Wild Storm from first position and place it second.

The disqualification resulted from a protest lodged by the trainer of the second-place horse, alleging that the rider of D'Wild Storm inadvertently struck the second-place horse during the stretch run.

The Ontario Racing Commission panel reviewed the evidence, including video replays and witness testimony, and concluded that the strike, although inadvertent, did occur.

The panel denied the appeal and upheld the disqualification.

The appellants, horse owners, appealed a decision of the Stewards disallowing claims of foul for alleged interference during a race at Ajax Downs Racetrack.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard the appeals jointly.

After reviewing the video evidence and hearing testimony from a Steward, the Commission found that the horses were not impeded and that there was sufficient room for the horses to move.

The appeals were denied and the original order of finish was maintained.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a 3-day driving suspension and a placing from 3rd to 9th for violating Standardbred Rule 22.05.01(a) by changing course and causing interference during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission reviewed the video evidence and testimony, finding that the appellant was in too close quarters, resulting in bumping and interference with other drivers.

The appeal was dismissed, and the suspension and placing were upheld.

The appellants, standardbred licensees, appealed a ruling that fined the driver $300 and placed their horse from first to fifth for a pylon violation under the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal, finding that the driver was effectively forced to go over the pylons due to the events of the race.

The fine was rescinded and the horse was reinstated to the first finishing position.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee and veterinarian, appealed a 6-month probation penalty imposed by the Judges for a violation of Standardbred Rule 1.09.

The violation occurred when a locum veterinarian was acting for the appellant.

The Ontario Racing Commission allowed the appeal and quashed the probation, finding that while the appellant had ultimate responsibility, the locum bore the immediate responsibility for the error, and the probation penalty was unnecessary.

The licensee, a standardbred driver/trainer/owner, appealed a suspension imposed after a follow-up urine sample tested positive for cocaine, violating a prior post-violation agreement.

The licensee admitted to the violation and acknowledged a substance abuse problem.

The Ontario Racing Commission ordered that the suspension continue until the licensee completes an approved substance abuse program.

Upon completion, the licensee may apply for reinstatement subject to conditions, including a 12-month after-care program, 12 months of probation, and a new post-violation agreement.

Georgian Downs and the Ontario Harness Horse Association appealed a decision of the Director of the Ontario Racing Commission denying a request to transfer $40,000 from the Georgian Downs purse account to pay for track maintenance.

The Commission dismissed the appeal, finding that the purse account funds are held in trust for the benefit of all horse people and that using them for track operational costs did not meet the required benefit threshold under the rules.

The Commission emphasized its fiduciary duty to protect the public interest and the integrity of the purse account.

The licensee, a standardbred owner/driver, appealed a suspension imposed after a follow-up saliva sample tested positive for Oxycodone, violating a post-violation agreement.

Following the licensee's successful completion of a 45-day inpatient drug rehabilitation program, the Ontario Racing Commission held a reinstatement hearing.

The Commission ordered that the licensee is eligible for reinstatement of his licenses, subject to conditions including enrollment in an approved after-care program, entering into a new 12-month post-violation agreement, and a 24-month probationary period.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a ruling that placed his horse from 1st to 4th for causing interference to another horse during a race.

The Ontario Racing Commission reviewed the race film and heard testimony.

The Commission found that the appellant's horse impeded the progress of another horse, violating Rule 22.05.01 of the Rules of Standardbred Racing.

The appeal was dismissed and the placement penalty was upheld.

The appellant, a standardbred owner/trainer/driver, appealed a 15-day driving suspension imposed for careless driving and causing interference during a race.

The appellant admitted to the interference and appealed only the penalty.

The Ontario Racing Commission dismissed the appeal, finding the 15-day suspension reasonable given the appellant's past record, the seriousness of the offence, and concerns for the health and welfare of the horses and drivers.

The licensee, a standardbred driver and trainer, tested positive for cocaine in a follow-up urine sample, violating a previous post-violation agreement.

He applied for a hearing for reinstatement after serving a 29-day suspension.

The Ontario Racing Commission found that the licensee violated the rules of racing and his agreement.

Recognizing his substance abuse problem and ongoing treatment, the Commission ordered his licenses reinstated subject to a 15-month post-violation agreement, mandatory substance abuse treatment, random testing, and a $500 fine that was stayed pending successful completion of the agreement.

The licensee appealed a Stewards' ruling declaring him ineligible to receive an apprentice jockey's weight allowance.

The licensee had applied for a medical extension past the three-year deadline under Rule 30.18, but was mistakenly granted an extension due to a clerical error by Commission officials.

The Panel accepted the appeal, ruling that although the Stewards were correct in their interpretation of the rule, the licensee would be permitted to ride as an apprentice until June 15, 2010, because of the officials' error.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a ruling by the Judges that fined him $200 for a violation of the Rules of Standardbred Racing while driving a horse.

The Ontario Racing Commission heard the appeal and reviewed video evidence and live testimony from the Judges.

The Commission dismissed the appeal, relying on the live visual statements from the Judges who witnessed the violation.

The $200 fine was upheld.

The appellant, a standardbred licensee, appealed a 15-day driving suspension and $500 fine imposed by the Judges for a driving violation under the Standardbred Rules of Racing.

The Ontario Racing Commission convened a hearing to review the matter.

After reviewing the evidence and hearing testimony, the Commission denied the appeal and ordered the appellant to serve the suspension and pay the fine.